Effect of Covid-19 on Social Support Perception and Stress in Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Aim: Healthcare workers may be at higher risk of Covid-19 transmission due to sharing the same setting with infected people for a long time, increasing their susceptibility to stress. This study set out to identify the effect of Covid-19 on social support perception and stress levels in healthcare workers based at a tertiary hospital. Material and Method: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The healthcare workers practicing at a tertiary hospital constituted the study population. Those giving their informed conŞent to enroll in the study between April 18 and May 18, 2020, were included in the study. Data were collected through an introductory information form, the Acute Stress Symptom Scale (ASSS), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The statistical analyses were performed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v.24.0. The data set was evaluated through mean scores, standard deviation, number and percentage, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis Variance Analysis, and Spearman Correlation Analysis. Results: The mean ASSS score of healthcare workers was 1.40±0.83, while the total MSPSS score was 70.9±14.56. The mean scores of sub-dimensions in the perceived social support scale were identified as family 25.07±4.78, friends 22.57±6.01, and significant other 23.27±6.94. A weak, negative correlation was revealed between healthcare workers’ ASSS scores and the subdimensions of family, friends, significant other, and the total scale score (p<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that healthcare workers’ acute stress symptom level was mild, while their multidimensional social support perception was relatively high. Most notably, in risky times such as pandemics, it may be important to intensify social support by mobilizing social support resources to minimize their stress level and organizing reGülar training programs explaining the importance of this effort for healthcare workers.